Remote control apparatus



Sept. 29, 1936,- J. w. LUKE I REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Shee t 1 Filed Sept. 22, 1955 INVENTOR Sept. 29, 1936. v J w L I 2,055,546

REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Sept. 22, 1933 4 Sheets-Shea} 2 INVENTOR John W Luke ATTORN EY Sept. 29, 1936. J. w LUKE 2,055,546

REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Sept. 22, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 11v VENTOR 0hr? W Lu/re ATTORNEY BY M Sept. 29, 1936. J w KE REMOTE CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Sept. 22, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 V A m E h v 3 m2 m h 5 m E W3 Patented Sept. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to methods and means for controlling from a remote position electric circuits and has particular application to the tuning of radio circuits.

The invention contemplates the provision of a control device readily accessible to the operator, said device including electro-responsive means whereby predetermined movement imparted to said device is transmitted to a distantly located component part of a radio circuit for tuning the same.

The invention embraces the provision of means including a constantly operable electric motor and a plurality of driving elements associated with electro-responsive means for transmitting rotary motion to a distantly located radio receiving set.

The invention has for an object the provision of a device embodying means to produce a relative movement between certain of the component parts of a radio circuit distantly placed from said device and obtaining the tuning of said radio circuit from a remote position.

The invention further comprehends the provisions of a circuit controlling means performing the dual function of actuating a component part of the radio circuit and energizing a remote control device.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawings of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevated view illustrating the apparatus of my invention associated with a radio set;

Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of the control device of my invention with the outer casing being removed;

Figure 3 is a top plan view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a detailed view of the circuit control and manual switches shown in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detailed view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the circuit actuating device with the outer casing broken away to show the electro-responsive means used for transmitting motion to one of the component parts of the radio set associated therewith;

Figure 8 is a view taken substantially on line 8-8 of Figure 7; 5

Figure 9 is a view taken substantially on line 99 of Figure '7;

Figure 10 is a view taken substantially on line Ill-10 of Figure 7;

Figure 11 is a wiring diagram showing the electric circuit used in my invention.

I have illustrated the device of my invention as used in connection with a radio set for the purpose of tuning the same, but it is to be understood that I do not wish to limit the construction or use of my device to the disclosure shown in the drawings and that I contemplate the use of the device wherever the same may be found to be applicable.

The principle of my invention is illustrated in the drawings and referring particularly to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 it comprises a control operating device I connected by means of a plurality of wires carried by a suitable cable 2 to a distantly located circuit actuating device 3, the latter being in close proximity to and interconnected with a radio receiving apparatus 4.

The control operating device I comprises an outer housing 5 through which projects a front plate 7 having a plurality of studs or spacing members 9 secured to back plate ID as particularly illustrated in Figure 2. Fixedly supported on the rear face of plate 1 is a clock motor suitably enclosed in casing l2, the clock motor being provided With a dial l3 projecting through plate '5. The clock motor being in continuous motion not only serves as a time piece, but also drives shaft M which is journaled on back plate 10. Secured to shaft M- by means of a set screw I5 40 is a driving gear H, which is in driving engagement with gear Hi, the latter being in mesh with gear l9. Gears l8 and I9 are loosely journalled on shafts 22 and 23 respectively. Gear I8 is provided with a circular metal plate or disc 24 preferably of magnetic material and gear I 9 is also provided with a disc member 25 also of magnetic material. Fixedly mounted on shaft 22 is a frame 2| supporting an electro-responsive device or magnetic clutch consisting of electro-magnets 26 comprising energizing windings 28 and 30, the terminals of which are connected to suitable contacting rings 3! and 32 which are insulatingly carried by collar 29. Shaft 22 carries gear 33 shown in Figure 3 which is in engagement 55 with a pinion 35 fixed to shaft 36, the latter being journalled as at 38 on plate I, and having a projection carrying a hand or pointer 45 which cooperates with a calibrated dial lI mounted on plate "II. Pinion 35 is also in engagement with a gear 42 carried by shaft 25, the latter also serving to drive a frame upon which are secured contacting rings 43 and M to which are connected the terminals of windings Q5 and 45 of the electro-responsive device or magnetic clutch of my invention. Coacting with contacting or slip ring 3! is a current carrying finger or contact member 48 insulatingly supported on bracket 4;9, the latter being fixed by any suitable means to back plate I5. Adjacent to contactarmjlB. is a current conducting finger 5I coacting with ring 32 which is also insulatingly supported on bracket 59. Contact fingers 48 and 5! are normally flexed in order to provide good circuit connections with the corresponding contacting rings}! and 32 and thereby permit the efiicient .nergiza'tion of the windings 28 and 35. In order to establish a circuit for the proper energization of windings 55 and 45 contact fingers 53 and 54 are in engagement with contact rings 43 and M respectively.

' For the purpose of selectively controlling the energization of the electro magnets, I have pro- 55 and 5?. Switching arrangement 57 is manuallycontrolled to cause the energization of the windings of remote control clutches H6 and l I7 located in the circuit actuating device 3 for adjusti'ng the means which serve to determine the volume of the radio receiving set as hereinafter described; switching arrangement .55 in the embodiment illustrated is used for the purpose of selectively energizing the windings 28-3 0 or 45.45 forming the magnetic clutch elements located in the control operating device I as well as vthe's erially connected windings II8 of one clutch element and serially connected windings N9 of another clutch element located in the circuit actuating device 3 which serve as means to establish a driving connection for moving the means for tuning the radio receiving set as can be seen by examination of Figure 11, and switching arrangement 55 in the embodiment illustrated is for the purpose of aiding in the proper tuning of the radio circuit actuating device by selectively energizing the windings 28-35 or 55-56 formingithe clutch elements located in the control operating "device i as well as the windings of clutch element H8 which are serially connected with windings 28-39 or the windings of the clutch element IE9 which are serially connected with windings 5545. The diagram of connection of the switching arrangement to the source of power and clutch elements as well as the motor control is particularly illustrated in Figjim 11. All of said switching arrangements are similar in construction and for this reason it will be sufficient to only describe one in detail.

As is illustrated in Figure 2, switching unit 55 comprisesa rod 55, removably secured to the front plate I which supports at its central position a retractive member or spring 5|. Spring 5| is secured to the rod 653 by means of hooked member 52, as shown in Figure 2, the other end of spring SI being secured to an anchor member .63 .by means of another hooked member 65, the anchor member 53 being secured to a shaft 65 by means of screw 65, as particularly shown in Figured. The tension caused by spring 6| serves to hold the shaft in its normal or neutral position. The shaft 65 is manually rotated by means of a knob or finger piece I4 shown in Figure 3. Positioned on the shaft rearwardly of the front plate I is an arm 51. Spaced apart but adjacent thereto from the arm fill are contact points 68 and 59, more clearly seen in Figure 5, contact points 58 and 59 also serving to support wires l6 and '56 respectively. Rotary movement of the knob M will throw the arm 6'! in contact pending on the direction in which the knob 14 is rotated. Positioned rearwardly of the arm 61 is a collar 'll supporting a pair of discs I2 and 73. As is shown in Figure 6, one of said discs I2 is mounted concentrically on the shaft 55 and is constructed of current conducting material supported on collar ll of suitable material. The other ofsaid discs 73 is mounted eccentrically on the shaftfili and is constructed of insulating materiall' Wire??? is secured, as by soldering, to the under side of disc l2. Riding on the discs I2 and leis a current conducting finger I'I removably fixed tothe front plate? by means of screw I8. Finger ll also serves as a securing means for holding wire l9 in place.

The switching arrangement 56 hereinbefore described while controlling the electric motor I19 'for driving the gear elements also controls the energization of the windings 283il .or 45-45 of the "electric magnetic clutches located in the control operating device I and the remotely locatedwindings of magnetic clutches H8 and located in'the circuit actuating device 3, which are interconnected by suitable cable =2 carrying a plurality of wires. Cable 2 is removably connected'to eacho-f the devices through the use of connection plugs, and this arrangement permits that the control operating device and circuit actuating device can be located at any desired distance. The circuit actuating device 3 illustrated in Figure 7 comprises an outer casing 55, thefront plate SI and rear plate 52 of said casing serving to journally support a plurality of shafts, 85,85, 85 and 84. Positioned forwardly of the rear plate 82 and freely mounted on their respective shafts are collars 88, 88', 89 andflfl' carrying gears 93, 93', 9'5 and 94 each of said gears being provided with a circular metal plate or disc 98, 98, 59, 99' preferably constructed of magnetic material. In front of said discs are collars IElI, I02, I53 and I04 secured to their respective shafts by suitable means such as set screws. Each of said collars carry frames III, i I2, H3 and I M which in turn serve to support a pair of energized windings or coils H6, III, I I8 and I I9 forming the remotely controlled magnetic clutches. Positioned forwardly of the second mentioned collars and mounted on their rerespective shafts aregears I50, I5I, I52 and I53 supported by means of collars I45, I JI, I42 and I53. It will be noted that gears I55 and. I5! are in mesh with volume control gear I55, and gears I52 and I53 are in mesh with tuning control gear I56, the control gears being in driving relationship by means of shafts I51 and I58, respectively, with a component part of the radio set 4 for tuning the same. An enlarged detailed illustration of the method employed to transmit current to the energized winding H6 is shown in Figure 8. The lead in wires I50 and I5I are secured to one side I52 of the casing 80 by the clamping means I 64 and I65, also securing fingers I61 and I 68 mounted interiorly of the casing 88, said fingers being in engagement with the current conducting contact or slip rings I39. Thus the lead wires I58 and I6I are connected to the leads I35 and to the energized windings I I6. Figure 8 also further illustrates the manner in which the driving gear I19 rotated by means of a small electrical motor contained in the casing IN is in mesh with gear 93 and serves to rotate said gear freely on the shaft 83. In conjunction with said motor is a speed reducing gear case also contained in the casing I1I.

The circuits of my invention are shown in Figure 11, wherein a source of electrical energy of 110 volts alternating current is connected by lead I15 to a transformer I15. Transformer I15 provides a current of low voltage for the purpose hereinafter described. The alternating current supply also serves in energize the continuously rotating synchronous motor I11 (not specifically shown), and electric light bulb I18. Connected with the source of alternating current is the synchronous motor I19 which is independently energized or controlled by either of the switching arrangements 55, 56 or 51. The circuits from the source of power to the synchronous motor I19 controlled by the switching arrangements 55, 56 and 51 are as follows: From one of the leads of the alternating current power lines I15 connected to binding post 20I located in the control operating device I to one of the terminals 293 of the synchronous motor I19 by means of conductor 284; from the other lead of the alternating current power lines I15 to binding post 296 hence by means of lead 15 to conducting disk 12 of switch 55 adapted to engage the flexible finger 11 to close said circuit, from finger TI by means of lead 19 to conductor 291 connected to lead 299 which in turn is connected with the other terminal N8 of the synchronous motor, thus completing the energizing circuit controlled by switching arrangement 56. The energization of the synchronous motor from the source of power can also be established by a branch circuit controlled by switch 55, this branch circuit comprising conductor 2H connected at one end to lead 15 and having its other end connected to the movable disk forming a component part of switch 55, which is adapted to contact with a flexible finger and hence from the flexible finger by means of wire 2I4 to lead 299 which is connected to terminal 2I9 of the synchronous motor as hereinbefore described. The energization of the synchronous motor I19 is also controlled by a branch circuit including switching arrangement 51, which comprises a conductor 2I5 connected at one end to lead 15, and its other end to the movable disk forming a component part of switching arrangement 51, which disk is adapted to contact with a flexible finger adjacent thereto and hence by means of wire 2I8 to conductor 29? and from conductor 281 to lead 289 connected to the terminal 2I8 of the synchronous motor. Synchronous motor I19 is similar in construction and capable of running at the same speed as motor I11. The

circuits so far described are indicated by heavy lines.

Transformer I16 is provided with a winding I89 for the purpose of producing a current of low voltage, serving to energize the windings of the two sets of coupling or clutch coils 28, 3D, and 45 located in the control device I on the one hand, and the pairs of clutch coils H8, H1, H8 and H9 located in the circuit actuating device 3 on the other hand. In detail, the circuit is as follows: One end of the low tension winding I88 of the transformer I16 is connected by means of lead I8I to the windings of clutch coils H9 from whence leads I88 and I92 which serves as circuit connecting means with control coils 45 and 46, thence through lead I93 to contact terminal 68, which is capable of establishing contact with movable member 51 through shaft 55 and by means of lead I81 to the other end of the low tension winding I89 of transformer I16. Energization of control coils 45 and 46 and serially connected coils H9 can also be obtained by the use of switching arrangement 55 by means of lead I81 connected to transformer winding I88 and to shaft I88 carrying movable terminal I84 capable of establishing contact with stationary contact E89 through lead I93 to coils 45 and 46 thence through leads I92 and I88 to coils H9 thence through lead I8I to other side of the transformer winding I89.

The energization of clutch coils I I8 is also obtained by means of lead I8I, which connects with one end of winding of coils H8, hence through coil H8 and by means of lead I95 and I91, hence to coils 28, 88 connected in series, and back through leads I85, I98 and I99 to stationary contact 59, cooperating with the contact or arm 61 of switch 55 through shaft 66 back through lead I81 to the low tension side of the coil I80 of the transformer I16. Coils 28, 30 as well as coils H8 which are serially connected are also connected to switching arrangement 55 by means of leads I85, I98, 289 to stationary contact I82 for establishing a circuit connection through arm I84 and shaft I86 and lead I81 to the transformer winding I89.

The volume control circuit is illustrated by control switch 51 at circuit I98 all connections illustrated, as connected and associated therewith. The action of the volume control is similar to that just described in connection with the station control.

An equalizing switch 55 is in a circuit parallel with the control switch 58. My invention utilizes a separate manually operable control through the equalizer switch 55, for obtaining an extremely fine adjustment.

The operation of my device is as follows: As was hereinbefore described the circuit actuating device is in close proximity to a radio receiver 4 and connected therewith by means of the volume control shaft I51 and tuning control shaft I58. The clock motor I 11 contained in the control operating device I illustrated in the circuit diagram is in continual operation, not only serving as a time piece but also driving shaft I4 and the gears associated therewith. The control operating device I being connected to the circuit actuating device 3 by means of the cable 2. Rotation or turning to the right or left switches 55, 58 or 51 by the operator using any of the manually operable finger pieces will start the electric motor I19 contained in the circuit actuating device 3 and will thru gear I19 start the rotation of the gear train illustrated in Figure 9. The specific drawings.

construction of the switches 55, 56, 5'! allows an interval of time to permit the motor I19 to attain its maximum speed similar to motor lTl. This construction is illustrated in Figure 6, of the Tuning control is affected as follows: Further manual rotation of the finger piece 14 will throw the arm 67 into contact with either one of the contact points 68 and 59 as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, depending on the direction in which the knob M is rotated thereby closing the circuit and energizing either of the coil groups H8 or MS. Coil groups H8 being connected in series with group of coils 28 and 30 and group coils H9 being connected in series with group coils, 45 and at contained in the control operating device I. As hereinbefore mentioned clock motor ill drives gear train ll, l8, and i9 continuously. Gears i8 and ii) are loose rotating on shafts 22 and 23 but thru the energization of coils 28, 35 or J5 and M, and the attraction of said coils to discs 24 and 25 hereinbefore described, motion is imparted to shafts 22 or 23 depending on which set of coils is energized, whereby the gears through the electromagnetic clutching action of the coils drive either of said shafts the energization of coils 28, 3E! will establish a driving connection from gear iii to shaft 22 driving gear 33 fixed thereto, which gear is enmeshed with pinion 35 fixed to the shaft 36 carrying pointer 68. The pointer hand positioning gears 42 and 33 meshing with pinion 35 on shaft 36 serve to drive the pointer 40 to a position on the calibrated dial 3! desired by the operator. A similar action takes place in the circuit actuating device 3 to position the radio tuning mechanism to a position as that shown by the pointer on dial ii. This being accomplished as follows: The manipulation of switch element 56 will first establish energization of synchronous motor H9 and will rotate the gear train located in the circuit actuating device 3 by means of gear Hi0 and also cause the energization of the clutch elements located in the circuit tuning device 3. For example, if the switch 56 is turned to a position to energize coils 2E; and 36, the windings of clutch element H8 are simultaneously energized due to their series connection. The energization of the clutch element i i8 will produce a magnetic clutch action and establish a driving connection between gear 95 and shaft 84 thereby rotating gear I52 fixed thereto and which is enmeshed with gear I53 fixed to shaft I58 which controls the adjustment of the tuning of the radio set.

The volume control switch W is in direct electrical relation with coils H6 and H1 and these coils combined with their associated mechanism produce a similar magnetic clutching effect to drive the shaft i5! thereby afiecting the volume of radio receive The equalizing switch 55 provides an extremely fine adjustment for the tuning of radio receiver 4 by slightly increasing or decreasing the electrical energization imparted to the tuning coils H8 and H9 due to the amount of wire and the added resistance present in this circuit.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention modifications and difierent arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A remote control system for radio receiving sets having adjustable elements comprising a driven member operated to adjust one of said elements; an electromagnet fixed to said driven member; a rotatable magnetizable member spaced from said electromagnets and adapted to. drive said driven member through the action of said electromagnet; a constant speed motor for rotating said magnetizable member; a source of power and circuit connections between said source of power and said motor and electromagnet; a control device supporting a switch included in the circuit of said motor and in the circuit of said electromagnet for connecting the same to said source to energize the motor and the electromagnet for establishing a driving connection between said rotatable member and said driven member; an indicator in said control device; a driven element connected to said indicator; an electromagnet fixed to said driven element; and a constant speed rotatable member adjacent to said electromagnet, said switch also adapted to establish a driving connection between said second electromagnet and said rotatable member whereby the indicator shows the movement imparted to the adjustable element of the radio set.

2. A remote control system for radio receiving sets having adjustable elements comprising driven members operated to adjust said elements in one direction or the other; an electromagnet fixed to each of said driven members; a plurality of rotatable magnetizable members spaced from said electromagnets and adapted to drive said driven members through the action of said electromagnets; a motor for rotating said magnetizable members; a source of power and circuit connection between said source of power and said motor and electromagnets; a remotely located control device having switches included in the circuit of said motor and in the circuit of said electromagnets for selectively connecting the same to said source thereby energizing the motor and one of said electromagnets to establish a driving connection between a rotatable member and a driven member; an indicator in said control device; driven elements connected to said indicator for moving the same; electromagnets fixed to said driven elements and being connected in series with one of said first mentioned electromagnets; rotatable members adjacent to said electromagnet, said switches also adapted to establish a driving connection between said second electromagnet and said rotatable member whereby the indicator shows the movement imparted to the adjustable elements of the radio set.

3. A remote control system for radio receiving sets having adjustable elements comprising driven members connected to said elements and operated to move the same; and electomagnet fixed to each of said driven members; a plurality of rotatable magnetizable members spaced from said electromagnets and adapted to drive said driven members through the action of said electromagnets; a motor for rotating said magnetizable members; a source of power; electrical conductors for establishing a circuit for the flow of current from said source of power to said motor and to said electromagnets; a remotely located control device including an indicator; driven elements connected to said indicator for moving the same; electromagnets fixed to said driven elements, and being connected in series with one of said first mentioned electromagnets; rotatable members adjacent to said last mentioned electromagnets; a plurality of switches adapted to connect the first and last mentioned electromagnets and said motor with said source of power to establish a driving connection between said electromagnets and the corresponding rotatable members to adjust said radio set and move said indicator to show the movement imparted to the adjustable elements of the radio set.

4. A remote control system for radio receiving sets having adjustable elements comprising driven members connected to said elements and operated to move the same; an electromagnet fixed to each of said driven members; a plurality of rotatable magnetizable members spaced from said electromagnets and adapted to drive said driven members through the action of said electromagnets; a motor for rotating said magnetizable members; a source of power; electrical conductors for establishing a circuit for the flow of current from said source of power to said motor and to said electromagnets; a remotely located control device having switches included in the circuit of said motor and in the circuit of said electromagnets for selectively connecting the same to said source to energize the motor and one of said electromagnets for establishing a driving connection between a rotatable member and a driven member; an indicator in said control device; driven elements connected to said indicator for moving the same; electromagnets fixed tosaid driven elements, and being connected in series with one of said first mentioned electromagnets; rotatable members adjacent to said electromagnets, said switches also adapted to connect said last mentioned electromagnets with said source to establish a driving connection between said second electromagnets and said rotatable member whereby the indicator shows the movement imparted to the adjustable elements of the radio set.

JOHN W. LUKE. 

